Richard DeFord was ordained as a pastor in 2001 after serving in youth and music ministries for 12 years. Richard and his wife, Amie began their ministry at Katy Park in January 2008. They have 3 children, Caleb, Nathaniel and Sarah.
Richard is bi-vocational and works as the Manager of Spiritual Care at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall. Richard holds a Bachelor's in Chaplaincy and a Master's of Divinity in Pastoral Care from Capstone University. He is currently in a doctoral program, studying Clinical Pastoral Psychotherapy. He also serves as the Executive Director for the Association of Certified Christian Chaplains where he leads the board in certifying chaplains in healthcare, military, prisons, higher education, hospice, long-term care and corporate environments. He is endorsed by the Southern Baptist Convention and North American Missions Board as a healthcare chaplain. He is also one of a handful of recognized chaplains by the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and volunteers as a chaplain with the Sedalia Police Department.